More Bad Luck

Today we had to return the rental car and pick our car up.  On the way we stopped to look in at a bicycle shop, out of curiosity, and also saw a lovely demonstration log house.  I had to take a picture of it.

Back on the road we missed a turn and found ourselves taking a sightseeing jaunt through a residential area.  Unfortunately at an unmarked intersection a lady crashed into us, going into our left wing. Fortunately, not knowing the area, Paul was driving very slowly, less than 30km/hr, and stopped quickly.  Apart from getting a bit 'shook up', we were fine.  The car not so, being in a worse state than the Audi that the lady was driving - which sustained a small scratch.  The lady had a feeling it was her fault but couldn't admit to it.  Also we felt she was going quite fast - for a residential road let alone at a small unmarked intersection where one would proceed with caution.

Unfortunately you can't see the dents properly in this picture

Anyway, we got the paperwork sorted with the help from a call to the car rental place and drove to A.T.U. to collect Paul's car.  On the way there we discovered that the steering TOTALLY out with Paul having to drive with the steering wheel at about a 40 degree angle. Also there was a bad scraping sound every time we turned left.  We collected Paul's car and I followed him in it to the car hire place arriving, as promised, noon/early afternoon.  Ehm. They sorted things out. The lady likely liable but we no wait to see what insurance company says, and in the meantime it left Paul's bank balance €600 lighter.  If the insurance company finds the lady at fault - Paul will get his money back.

That was not the end of the saga.

We had to take the car back to garage because the brakes were still not right.  They felt spongy = air in the brake fluid.  An hour or so later brakes lines were 'bled' and air out.  By now the whole day had been wasted so we came back to campsite, picking up two tiny combination locks for the tent on the way.  During the journey be back the aircon packed up!  Paul thinks it's related to brake repairs, possibly spilt oil on a sensitive part of the unit. (The aircon unit was refilled just 6 weeks ago and working fine until A.T.U. bled the brake fluid...) We are not wasting time with A.T.U. so will see a garage in the Netherlands next Monday.

Time for a swim in the lake and then dinner.

Although things have gone wrong - at least we are very much alive and kicking.